Ukrainian Residents Flee Destruction as War Intensifies in Donetsk

In the eastern Donetsk region of Ukraine, residents are evacuating their homes as the ongoing conflict escalates, marked by devastating explosions and relentless attacks. For 69-year-old Tetiana Zaichikova, the moment of decision came when a strike turned her home into rubble. The war, which has persisted for more than three years, has left towns in this region, larger than Slovenia, increasingly uninhabitable.

Many residents cling to hope, believing an end to the violence could come at any moment. Peace negotiations, largely facilitated by U.S. President Joe Biden, have failed to produce meaningful results, leaving individuals like Zaichikova waiting for a resolution that has not materialized. As evacuation becomes inevitable, she reflects on her decision to leave Kostiantynivka, a city that once boasted a population of approximately 67,000.

Life in a War-Torn City

Conditions in Kostiantynivka have deteriorated dramatically. With no reliable access to electricity, water, or gas, daily life has become increasingly perilous. Residents have witnessed a surge in military activity, with Russian forces reportedly controlling around 70% of the Donetsk region. The city, once a vibrant industrial hub, is now a battleground filled with the sounds of artillery and drone strikes.

Zaichikova’s harrowing experience on the night of August 28, 2023, encapsulates the peril of remaining in such a dangerous environment. After months of confinement, she attempted to prepare tea when an explosion occurred, burying her under debris. “If I had taken even one step into the kitchen that night, I would not have survived,” she recalled. With emergency services long gone due to safety concerns, her neighbor used a sledgehammer to free her from the wreckage.

Her decision to leave was not taken lightly. “I didn’t want to leave until the last moment, but that was the last straw,” she said, describing the destruction she witnessed throughout the city.

The Challenges of Evacuation

Evacuations are fraught with danger. Yevhen Mosiichuk, a police officer, has risked his life almost daily to help residents leave Kostiantynivka. He described the ongoing crisis, emphasizing the constant threat of drone surveillance and artillery fire. “The situation has been worsening — not every day, week, or month, but every minute,” he stated. The city has become increasingly isolated, surrounded by Russian forces, making evacuation efforts more perilous.

Mosiichuk and his team are equipped with specialized vehicles designed to counter drone threats, but the risk remains high. As they navigate the city, he highlights the urgency of their mission: “Every minute in the city is life-threatening.”

For many elderly residents, the choice to evacuate is compounded by physical limitations and economic hardship. Those remaining are often unable to leave due to age, disability, or financial constraints, facing an uncertain future.

One of these residents, 67-year-old Mykhailo Maistruk, had not left his apartment for two years due to a disability that left him reliant on a wheelchair. When police arrived to assist with his evacuation, he and his wife, Larysa Naumenko, were forced to confront the reality of leaving their home of 40 years. “Do you think it’s easy to leave all this behind?” Naumenko lamented, as they gathered what little they could carry.

As they departed under the cover of ongoing shelling, Maistruk reflected on the fate of their city. “Hardly anyone will come back here. It feels like the city is being wiped off the face of the earth,” he said.

The struggle for survival continues for those still in Kostiantynivka. Each explosion serves as a reminder of the precariousness of life in this war-torn region, as residents are forced to confront the painful decision of whether to stay or leave their homes behind.